Nam Son can live thanks to the forest

(Baoghean) -With a total area of ​​5,847 hectares of natural forest, forest resources are becoming a strength in economic development in the remote commune of Nam Son (Quy Hop). As the commune chairman Luong Van Long said, after their efforts, the people of Nam Son are "living" thanks to the forest...

Taking us to visit the vast protected forests, Mr. Long said that to have what we have today was not a simple process. Considered as the “wood warehouse” in the Southwest of Quy Hop, Nam Son was once devastated by deforestation. In 1995, the situation of clearing forests for farming gradually decreased and it was not until 2000 that it completely stopped. Since then, Nam Son forest has returned to its green color.

Road to Nam Son (Quy Hop).

In addition to other benefits, the green bamboo forests begin to produce bamboo shoots. From April to August (lunar calendar), taking advantage of the free time, people go into the forest to pick bamboo shoots. The bamboo shoots are picked, boiled, and dried to become a commodity product. It is estimated that each year, the revenue from bamboo shoots brings Nam Son about 2 billion VND, reaching an average of 5 million VND per household. Households with an income of over 20 million VND per crop from picking bamboo shoots are no longer rare.

Along with bamboo shoots, Nam Son forest has also helped people earn more income from wild honey and medicinal plants. Some fruits, leaves, vines... with medicinal properties have been found by people to sell according to orders from traders. It is known that this season, if going into the forest to find bamboo shoots and medicinal plants, each person can earn no less than 100,000 VND per day.

The poor forest areas have also been gradually covered by hybrid acacia trees. Hybrid acacia trees have been planted in Nam Son for nearly 10 years. The pioneering households bringing hybrid acacia trees to plant in Nam Son include Mr. Vi Van Thuy (Tang village), Mac Van Long (Cha Hang village), Luong Van Tho (Quang village)... The first acacia harvest of households like Mr. Vi Van Thuy brought a net profit of over 100 million VND. According to Chairman Luong Van Long, in the past 3 years alone, over 100 hectares of hybrid acacia have been planted, and it is estimated that this year the whole commune has planted over 20 hectares.

For generations, Nam Son has relied on the forest for its livelihood, but the difference is that people’s thinking has changed. From reckless exploitation, people have consistently agreed to “say no” to deforestation for farming, illegal logging and burning wood for charcoal. Let’s all join hands to escape poverty and strive to become rich legitimately!

Cao Duy Thai